Zermatt Switzerland Adventures | Best Hotels in Zermatt

At the base of the Matterhorn is Zermatt Switzerland. This vacation spot has kept its original charm, is free of cars, and provides a virtually endless choice of excursion options.
Zermatt is one of the most gorgeous holiday villages in the world because it sits at the heart of the Matterhorn, surrounded by a vast hiking and ski area. There are 360 kilometres of pistes and 54 mountain railways and lifts within the ski area. Europe’s largest and highest summer skiing region is the “Matterhorn glacier paradise” region.
In this article we’ve gathered helpful information for anyone who’s planning to visit Zermatt Switzerland. We’ve tried to include hotels in zermatt, how zermatt weather is, and much more below.

Before You Visit Zermatt Switzerland

Zermatt, a village high in the Alps, has kept its combustion car ban since the 1960s. There are three options to get there: by train, taxi, or helicopter. You can park in the parking lots in the nearby city of Täsch if you’re travelling by car through Switzerland, and then take the shuttle to Zermatt. When tourists arrive, there are these lovely blue electric buses to assist them in getting around the town.
Zermatt is just across the border from Italy, but most of the locals speak Swiss German. Since French is another of Switzerland’s official languages, they might also be fluent in it. While most people can communicate in a few words, don’t expect everyone to speak English fluently. Learning a little bit of German also doesn’t hurt.
Swiss Franc is also the official currency of Switzerland. Yes, not the Euro. It is slightly more valuable than the USD.
Keep in mind that Zermatt and Matterhorn are not the same, as I had some trouble figuring out this before going there. Zermatt is the name of the town, not an a specific resort, and Matterhorn is the name of the mountain.

Best Times to Visit Zermatt Switzerland – Weather in Zermatt

It might be best to look into going to Zermatt between June and September, when the average daily high temperature gets above 69 degrees Fahrenheit, if you want to go there in the summer when the weather in zermatt is warm.
If you want to see snow, you should visit between December and March, when the average high temperature regularly drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to Stay in Zermatt Switzerland

Choosing a spot in Zermatt is the issue, not finding a place to stay. Making a decision can be tricky because there are so many fantastic hotels. To be honest, I couldn’t have decided which to choose on my own.
Our Swiss friend had arranged us a room at the Hotel Christiania, which offers the largest spa in Zermatt and some of the most breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.
Although the hotel itself felt more like a cosy cabin, the rooms were quite modern. I can’t get over how breathtaking the views were. The Matterhorn looking back at you when I woke up was an incredible experience that I will never forget.
If the hotel is more than 5–10 minutes away from the Gornegrat, you will have to walk quite a way to access the ski area. Since the Matterhorn is, once again, a key element of the experience, I would also check to see if it has a view of it. Finally, I would ensure that the hotel offers a nice breakfast buffet. You’ll save a tonne of money that way.
Other options that you might want to check are :

Hotel Schweizerhof,
Resort La Ginabelle,
Riffelalp Resort and
Hotel Coeur des Alpes
The Omnia

Best Things to Do in Zermatt Switzerland

View the Matterhorn

It’s likely that you already have plans to see the Matterhorn if you’re travelling to Zermatt. If not, you need to put it right away on your trip plan. One of the highest mountains in Europe, this one is truly breathtaking. While you can see it from the town, you should also make plans to ride the Gornergrat Railway, which takes you to the best viewpoint, to get a closer look. For an amazing view the entire way, sit on the right side.

Take a ski trip

You have to ski if you visit in the winter. There are over 200 miles of trails on the mountain, so anyone, from rookie to expert, can find a trail that suits them. You could easily spend an entire day on just one slope, the 15.5-mile long Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Try them and I’m sure you’re going to love a zermatt ski resort experience.

Shopping at Bahnhofstrasse

In spite of its small size, Zermatt has a vast shopping area. Shop for clothes at Bijou les Boutiques, jewellery at Atelier Marcus Marienfeld, and souvenir ceramics at Zermatt Keramik on the Bahnhofstrasse.

Go for a hike

Travelling over the summer months? Hike through the lush scenery and spend time on those same trails. AllTrails lists more than a hundred trails to explore, with the Five Lakes Walk being the most highly recommended by locals. We have rated this 6.8-mile trail as moderate. Give yourself a full day to finish it so you can take as much time as you’d like to pause and take in the scenery.

Where To Eat in Zermatt Switzerland

You definitely won’t run out of places to eat in Zermatt if you run out of activities. Actually, tasting some speciality Swiss cuisine is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the culture.
Naturally, raclette, cheese fondue, meat and oil fondue, and Gluihwein are some of the must-try dishes.

Madre Nostra

At the Cervo Mountain Resort, have lunch or dinner by the slopes at Madre Nostra. Fans of meat can enjoy a special three-course BBQ dinner on Mondays, while vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians can still order salads, pastas, and fish dishes prepared in the Italian style from the regular menu.

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat

At the highest hotel and restaurant in the Swiss Alps, 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat, enjoy dinner while taking in the view. Its restaurant, Vis-à-Vis, serves local products in Swiss-inspired dishes like fondue, pork cordon bleu, and salmon trout

Fuchs Bakery

Visit the Fuchs Bakery for a tasty start to the day. They make freshly baked goods with ingredients that are sourced locally. Together with croissants and breads, there will be a bounty of sweet treats.

Swiss chalet (classic Swiss style)

For traditional Swiss cuisine in a family-friendly setting, this restaurant is fantastic. We got the impression from the owners that we were eating in their house. Don’t forget to try the Surf and Turf fondue.dip raw food into a pot of oil instead of cheese for cooking. It’s delicious to drink the broth as a soup at the end.

Best Bars in Zermatt Switzerland (especially for apres ski)

Don’t worry if you are visiting Zermatt during the week rather than the weekend. Usually, this little town comes alive, even on Monday evenings. Some choose to visit Zermatt’s top bars after a lovely meal with loved ones. Some people just arrive from the mountain, complete with ski boots, and continue to drink until the early hours of the morning. It’s a pretty interesting contrast.

Here are some of my favorite bars in Zermatt:

The Little Bar

Little Bar is such a hidden gem that you would probably miss it if you were visiting the area. Along with a large number of visitors for après ski, it also attracts a mix of foreigners of all ages.

Hairy’s Bar

This is a tiny wooden house that meets a variety of tourists of all ages. It won’t take you long to discover that everyone enjoys dancing here. Even just stopping in for a drink is a worthwhile experience because of the friendly and accepting crowd.

The Post

In theory, there are roughly four bars in one building at the post. There’s the “pink room,” which often features live music, and a stone basement with a large dance floor and a live DJ. It’s arguably one of the most favoured spots in Zermatt for nightlife.

How to get to Zermatt Switzerland

Although Zermatt is quite far from the majority of Switzerland’s major cities, getting there is very simple. My advise is to take a plane to Zurich and then the train to Zermatt. We spent roughly three hours on the train.

You could also fly into Milan from Italy across the border, or take the train from Geneva or Bern. In actuality, the latter choice is the closest.

Another option is to drive into Zermatt, but there’s really no point as the town forbids cars. It would have to be left in an out-of-town parking garage. Plus, why not reduce your carbon footprint by taking the train, which has a superior system?

To get to Zermatt, you probably need to transfer at least once. Getting a round-trip train pass is one thing I’d suggest but make sure you keep your ticket. The trains depart on time, so don’t be late!

I hope my advice and suggestions help you to enjoy an equally incredible ski escape week in the Swiss Alps as I did and I wish you the best of trips to your adventure in Zermatt Switzerland!